"WE'LL BE READY"

SADDLERS Boss Jon Whitney has insisted his squad will be fit and firing for the new season as he looks to finish pre-season on a high.

Tuesday’s 3-2 defeat to Notts County followed worthwhile workouts against Norwich City, Solihull Moors, Birmingham City and Derby County with Saturday’s trip to Luton Town (3.00pm kickoff) bringing the curtain down on what’s been a successful pre-season campaign.

Having welcomed ten new players into the club, Whitney has utilised his squad over the five fixtures but with the season opener against AFC Wimbledon just over a week away, Saturday provides the final dress rehearsal ahead of the main act.

“We’re going to have a pre-match meal, travel down on the bus and treat it as if it’s out first game of the season,” Whitney explained. “So Saturday for me is as if we’re playing for points.

“It will be a game where we can just iron out all the little creases and we get things ready for Wimbledon. I’ll pick a team that I think won’t be too far off who will start the first game of the season.

“It’s been a slow burning process and we’ll make sure we get the players to Wimbledon in just the right condition. We’ve had no injuries so far which is another great thing for pre-season.

“It’ll be an interesting one for me because there are a few problems that have been given to me by my players but they’re good problems to have.

“I’ll have to upset a couple of players but hopefully they’ll all be ready if called upon.”